2023 Château d'Yquem Y d'Yquem

the history of Y d'Yquem

Château d'Yquem is known worldwide for its iconic sweet wine, but since 1959 the house has also produced a dry white wine: Y, often referred to as Y d'Yquem. The idea arose when the last bunches of the harvest were set aside and vinified into a dry version. In the early years, the wine was made only sporadically, but since the 2000s, Y has been an annual expression of the same terroir that made the sweet Yquem so famous. With its combination of freshness, complexity, and depth, Y offers a parallel to the richness of Sauternes.

vineyard and terroir

The Château d'Yquem vineyards are located in the heart of Sauternes, where Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon complement each other. The terroir consists of gravelly soils with clay and limestone subsoils, which together provide excellent drainage and minerality. The microclimate, strongly influenced by the proximity of the Garonne and Ciron rivers, creates unique conditions that not only allow botrytis cinerea to develop in the sweet wine but also deliver freshness and tension to the dry white Y.

the 2023 harvest year

The year 2023 was characterized by extremes: tropical humidity, heavy rainstorms, and periods of heat and drought alternated. Thanks to the team's experience and lessons learned from previous years, the winemakers managed to keep the vineyard healthy. The harvest began exceptionally early, on August 12th, and concluded on September 19th – one of the earliest and most generous harvests in Y's history. The combination of heat and timely rain resulted in grapes with remarkable freshness and ripeness, ideal for producing a wine with tension and elegance.

grape varieties and blend

For the first time in history, a perfect balance was chosen in 2023: 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Sémillon. Sauvignon Blanc contributes citrusy freshness, spicy notes, and refined bitterness, while Sémillon provides richness, texture, and subtle complexity. Together, they create a wine that unites the light and shade of Sauternes.

vinification and maturation

After careful harvest and selection, the grapes were fermented and aged for 12 months in oak barrels. One-third new oak was used, and two-thirds were barrels previously used for Château d'Yquem. This gives the wine a subtle oaky note, perfectly intertwined with the fruit and freshness of the grapes. The result is a wine that combines power and precision with a mineral undertone and remarkable length.

Tasting notes of the 2023 Y d'Yquem

The 2023 Y opens with vibrant aromas of citrus leaf, sage, and verbena, followed by fresh fruit like pear and white peach. With further aeration, floral notes of wild rose and peony emerge. On the palate, the wine begins energetically, with notes of lemon, kumquat, and yellow kiwi, followed by juicy nuances of white melon. The finish is characterized by grapefruit bitters and a chalky texture that gives the wine tension and elegance. With 13.5% alcohol and a perfect balance between acidity and fruit, this is a wine that charms now and can also age well for the next ten years.

why order Y 2023?

The 2023 Y is a special vintage that brings together the best of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. The wine boasts freshness, aromatic subtlety, and a rich, layered structure. For sommeliers and serious wine lovers, this is a unique opportunity to taste a wine that translates Château d'Yquem's style into a dry expression. It is a rare and limited edition wine that offers both gastronomic versatility and a wonderful addition to any cellar.

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If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.

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Wine and food pairings with the 2023 Y d'Yquem

• Grilled turbot with beurre blanc – the creaminess of the sauce is beautifully balanced by the freshness and minerality of the wine.
• Lobster with saffron risotto – the rich structure of the wine complements the full flavours of shellfish and saffron perfectly.
• Veal tenderloin with lemon-thyme sauce – the subtle meat and fresh sauce enhance the elegant bitters and citrus aromas of Y.
• Goat cheese with honey and thyme – the saltiness and creaminess of the cheese find an exciting counterpoint in the fruity and floral notes of the wine.
• Fennel, orange and olive salad – the fresh acidity and spiciness of the wine accentuate the vibrant, Mediterranean flavours.
• Sea bass tartare with lime and coriander – the pure and fresh taste of the dish perfectly complements the vibrancy and length of Y 2023.

• “With Y, we seek to combine the light of a white wine with the shadow of a Sauternes; to marry the aromatic freshness and acidity of a dry white with the complexity and sensuality of Yquem” – Lorenzo Pasquini, General Manager
• “A sun-filled vintage refreshed by just the right amount of rain, Y 2023 is a wine that combines power, subtlety, and freshness” – Toni El Khawand, Cellar Master.
• For the 2023 vintage, Semillon (50%) stands in equal proportion to Sauvignon blanc (50%), whereas the latter usually accounts for two-thirds of the blend.
• “Just utterly gorgeous (…) What more could you want in a glass of wine? 96 pts” – Georgina Hindle, Decanter